PANDA aka SARGE – A1103592

Panda is no bear but a sleek Hound-y dog with a warm heart and impeccably good manners, shy but eager for attention and always ready to offer a gentle kiss or a how-do-you-do handshake on request. He’s unbelievably good-looking yet as humble as they come and never complains, doesn’t pull on leash, always listens well and meets passing dogs with relaxed friendship too. Even his house training skills are elegant in their simplicity and he ‘holds it’ as we stroll the yard, patiently waiting until a tree presents itself before taking care of business. Toys are a novelty and Panda’s not quite sure what to do with them but he follows my lead with a wagging tail as I show him how we chase and grab, chase and grab. Somehow I doubt he’ll ever be a tug-o-war champ but with a little time I bet he’s going make a wonderful fetch partner as he’s already mastered commands for come, sit and give paw and takes the treats he adores so politely from my hand. Easygoing and easy to love, this good boy is already neutered and ready to head home today and he’ll make a wonderful companion for any family as tender-hearted as he is. If yours fits the bill then ask to see Panda at our Manhattan Care Center, he can’t wait to make both your dreams come true!

Another volunteer writes:  Staff:  “Want to meet my boyfriend?”  Me: “Sure, where is he?”  Staff:  “In here.”  So, I’m expecting to meet some handsome man, and instead I get to meet a handsome four legged dog.  He sits, he cuddles, he kisses, he loves belly rubs, he LOVES other dogs and is a greeter dog in playgroup.  Panda has model long legs, a sleek torso, the best little whiskers ever, and when he’s upside down getting a belly rub and his face is relaxed a little snaggle tooth pops out!  So cute!   Fast forward to later in the day.
Different staff:  “Come meet my boyfriend!”  Me:  “Sure, where?” Staff: “Here, I’m giving him a belly rub!” So, staffers are professing their love for our boy but can’t take him home.  You, lucky adopter, get to give him a belly rub every day!  As one staffer said to me: “He must be the best spooner ever!”  Panda loves to play, and chills out quickly for some hugs.  He’s awesome and waiting to prove it to you!  Ask to meet him today.

BEHAVIOR :

KNOWN HISTORY: None

Neutered, Stray

SAFER ASSESSMENT:

Look: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted. His body posture is stiff and fearful, his tail is low and not moving. He allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

Sensitivity: 2. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, his eyes are averted, his tail is between his legs, body stiff, mouth closed.

Tag: 1. Follows at end of leash, body low and a bit fearful.

Squeeze 1: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds.

Squeeze 2: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds.

Toy: 1. Minimal interest, dog sniffs toy.

Summary: Panda was very tense and fearful in the assessment room and during his assessment.  He did appear to warm to the handler at the end of the assessment, leaning into her.  He allowed all handling.

DOG-DOG INTERACTION ASSESSMENT:

Tolerant: These dogs are typically non-reactive on leash and will be either friendly or indifferent off leash. They can typically tolerate some rude behavior from other dogs and can be described as having a long fuse. They show relaxed, appropriate, easy-going body language around others.

PLAYGROUP:

Panda engages in bouncy, mouthy play with select male and female dogs, but he has gotten more comfortable with a wider variety of dogs and their playstyles throughout his stay here. He is often uncomfortable with larger dogs. He arrived to the care center as a stray, so any in-home behaviors are unknown. The behavior department recommends slow, structured introductions with any potential resident dogs.

2/14: When introduced off leash to another dog in the care center, Panda is initially reserved.  He opens up and engages in play when solicited.

2/15: Panda is uncomfortable with face to face greeting from a larger male dog, and offers a small lip curl.  When solicited by this dog, he does briefly engage in play.  He is playfully bouncy when engaging with a female dog.

2/16: Panda mostly keeps to himself today.

2/17: Panda solicits a female who is nervous but is respectful when she offers correction. He engages in rough, mouthy play, offering many paw slaps when engaging with a more exuberant female.

2/18: Panda is slightly uncomfortable when a playful male solicits play.

2/19: Panda engages in play with female dogs.

2/20: Panda engages with male and female dogs, and offers correction when uncomfortable.

2/28-3/2: Panda is exuberantly playful with male and female dogs.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:

During his initial medical exam, Panda was slightly tense.

ENERGY LEVEL:

We have no history on Panda so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he is a young, enthusiastic, social dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

IN-SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:

3/3/17 : While Panda’s behavior outside the kennel remains social and affectionate, he is showing behavioral deterioration from several weeks of kenneling. He has begun cage climbing and showing other signs of frustration. Out of concern for his stress level and fear of continued decline, we recommend that he move into a stable home environment as quickly as possible. Outside of the kennel environment/rooms (outdoors on walks, playgroup, etc…) he is much more at ease and social/affectionate with handlers. He is utilized here as a social greeter dog and does not display any known on-leash reactivity while on regular walks. His cage-fighting/reactivity is continuing to increase in severity, so it would be in his best interest to leave this environment and into a home setting.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Experience (suitable for an adopter with some previous dog experience, especially with behaviors outlined below)

_X_Fearful: Though observed to be human-social, Panda needs time to warm up to the handler as he initially  presents as a fearful dog, avoiding contact, shying away from direct touch. We recommend allowing Panda to interact at his own pace, force-free, rewarding based training is advised when introducing him to new/unfamiliar situations.